Gender differences in sexual behaviors of AD patients and their relationship to spousal caregiver well-being

• Published in: Aging & mental health 2012-01, Vol.16 (1), p.89-101
• Main Authors: Davies, Helen D., Sridhar, Sneha B., Newkirk, Lori A., Beaudreau, Sherry A., O'Hara, Ruth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer's disease; Alzheimer's disease (AD); Caregiver Burden; Caregivers - psychology; Caretaker syndrome; Client Satisfaction; Dementia; Depression; Depression (Psychology); Female; Females; Gender differences; Gender differentiation; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Intimacy; Male; Patients; Sex Differences; Sex Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual Partners; Sexuality; Sexuality - psychology; Stress; Stress, Psychological; Well Being; Wellbeing
• ISSN: 1360-7863; 1364-6915
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2011.609532

Objectives: Little is known about gender differences in sexuality among community-dwelling heterosexual couples in which one partner has Alzheimer's disease (AD). Few studies have examined gender differences in specific sexual behaviors or their associations with caregiver well-being. This study evaluated the impact of gender differences on intimacy and sexual satisfaction in marital relationships in which one partner has AD. Method: Baseline measures were collected from 162 AD patients and their partners enrolled in a multi-site study between 2001 and 2009 to evaluate gender differences in measures of intimacy, caregiver well-being, and patient sexual behaviors. Results: While over 70% of all patients initiated physically intimate activities (i.e., kissing, hugging, and intercourse), most did not initiate intercourse specifically. Female caregivers reported higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms than male caregivers (p